7 Beauty Products You Should Stop Using This Summer

You wouldn’t be caught dead wearing bulky sweaters or boots during the summer, would you? Nope, didn't think so. And just as you update your wardrobe, you should do the same to your makeup bag this season, too. You don’t have to go overboard, though. Just trade in a few of your cold weather staples for some lighter products, and you’ll be in the clear.

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Alyssa Zolna

Swap Matte Lipstick for Lip Balm and Gloss “Matted lip stains tend to crease and lay into the lines of your lips," says Rachael Rubin, owner and founder of Beauty PaRLR & RLR Studio in Framingham, Massachusetts. They're also super-drying, as is the sun. “Give your lips a break now and then by swapping your matte lipstick for a tinted lip balm or gloss,” says Joel Schlessinger, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and RealSelf advisor. “You’ll still reap all the benefits of rocking the same color, but you’ll be nourishing and conditioning your lips in the process.” Try Yves Saint Laurent Vernis À Lèvres Glossy Stain ($36, sephora.com).

Swap Cream Cleanser for Gel Face Wash When your skin is oily thanks to the humidity, you don’t need that extra hydration from cream cleansers. “This added moisturization is excellent in the dry winter, but these formulas can sometimes be too heavy in the summer,” says Schlessinger. “Instead of using a cream cleanser year-round, trade it for a gentler gel cleanser that contains more salicylic and glycolic acids to help lightly exfoliate the skin and prevent clogged pores.” He likes LovelySkin LUXE Clarifying Gel Cleanser ($40, lovelyskin.com).

Swap Ultra-Rich Moisturizer for Lightweight Serum The ambient moisture in summer air is enough to fully hydrate your skin, so you can skip the heavy-duty stuff. “Just like cream cleansers, heavier creams clog your pores and even lead to breakouts,” says Tsippora Shainhouse, M.D., a Beverly Hills dermatologist. “Switch to a lightweight moisturizing serum or lotion that has hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which will add a natural dewiness to your complexion.” La Roche-Posay Anthelios AOX Daily Antioxidant Serum With Sunscreen ($43, ulta.com) is a great option because it also contains SPF.

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Swap Foundation for Tinted Moisturizer or BB Cream Summer weather is not kind to thick and heavy liquids. “Choose a lightweight BB cream or tinted moisturizer, which will still provide the coverage you want without weighing down your skin,” says Schlessinger. Vanessa Ungaro, makeup artist and co-owner of LAUREN+VANESSA salon in New York City, is a fan of Laura Mercier Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 ($44, sephora.com). “It comes in 15 different shades, has enough SPF to offer protection from the sun, and hydrates the skin while minimizing imperfections,” she says.

Swap Powder Blush for Cream Blush One look you’re not going for: cakey. While you might think powder blush would do the best job of avoiding this scenario, that’s surprisingly not true. “In the winter, powder blushes work great over a matte foundation, which locks in moisture, but in the summer, they can start to settle into the skin when the temperature rises,” says Rubin. “Cream blush gives your cheeks a more rosy flush that stays in place better than powder formulas.” She’s currently loving Charlotte Tilbury Beach Stick in Moon Beach ($45, charlottetilbury.com).

Swap Dark Shadow for Lighter, Sun-Kissed Shades “Dark shadows seep into the creases and can spread underneath the eye, creating what we call raccoon eyes," says Rubin. “A soft brown shade or something fun like green or blue works wonders for brightening up your look—especially if you can match it with your outfit.” Try MAC Eyeshadow in All That Glitters ($16, maccosmetics.com).

Swap Finishing Powder for Setting Spray You don’t want to add even more product on your skin to risk an overdone look. Setting sprays offer the same hold as a finishing powder without any of the added weight. “A quick mist can hold your makeup in place and even refresh and hydrate your skin throughout the day,” says Schlessinger. “I recommend Supergoop! Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50, ($28, sephora.com) to all my clients because it helps control shine, sets makeup, and serves as a broad spectrum sunscreen.”

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